After all is said, it is interesting to note that ERA has had a consistant backlog of customers willing to wait for 2 or more years to get an ERA GT. The wait was 2 years when I gave them my deposit 2 years ago (yes, it is scheduled to start build this month!). I understand the wait is longer than 2 years now. Obviously, ERA must be doing something right or potential buyers wouldn't be lining up and be willing to wait 2 or more years to get a car. Maybe ERA could hire more people and turn out more cars. Maybe they're happy and comfortable keeping production numbers as they are. I applaud them for keeping their product exclusive. Kind of reminds you of Harley Davidson's business. There are a lot of motorcycle manufactures out there with product setting in the showroom ready for you to buy now. Harley has waiting lists for their machines. I have a Honda by the way.
Is it hard to spend $100K on the car? Unfortunately, not at all. When you start adding options like leather interior, pin drive wheels, AC, etc., the cost to ERA will exceed $60K easily. It's not hard to spend $10K -15K on an engine. A ZF is $5K to $11K. Pin drive wheels can be as much as $900 per. Paint costs are astronomical. And so on.....
Is an ERA overpriced? Not from what I've seen. The workmanship and attention to detail and authenticity in their cars is excellent. Do they make money on the custom parts they sell? A little maybe, but not much. Example, they will sell you rear halfshafts for $400 per...they also give you a detailed drawing with dimensions and Spicer part numbers if you want to have them made yourself. I took the drawing to the local driveshaft fab shop and ask for an estimate. Guess what? $410 per. I've gotten a detailed price list from Peter on the ERA pin drive components. Their prices on the GM stuff and custom made stuff look pretty reasonable.
It's nice that there are more and more manufactures coming onto the scene. It is bound to increase competition. 2 years ago when I gave ERA my deposit, there weren't many replicas using a stainless steel monocoque chassis (that I could afford). At the moment, there still aren't. I was willing to pay a bit more and wait for an ERA becuse it had the features I wanted. Maybe when some of the other manufactures get their monocoque chassis cars ready to go, it will cut into ERA's business. Maybe not. Folks are still lining up.
I don't think I'd want to give $85K for a car sight unseen though. Plus, even with all the hassles, the last 2 years of getting parts ready has been fun. Building the car is a big part of the fun and pride of owning it.
Dave